How to apply for a residence permit if you already have long-term resident status in the EU

If you have long-term resident status in another EU country and wish to stay in Sweden for more than three months, you must apply for a residence permit.

You can start working or studying immediately after you arrive in Sweden. You do not need to wait for a decision regarding your residence permit application. However, you must submit a tax and fee notification to the Swedish Tax Agency, and you may need to register your company with the Swedish Companies Registration Office before you start running your own business here. As a student, you may work alongside your studies without applying for a special work permit.

Read more on the website of the Swedish Tax Agency (in Swedish) External link, opens in new window.

Read more on the website of the Swedish Companies Registration Office (in Swedish) External link, opens in new window.

How to apply

Fill out Form 137011, Application for a residence permit for persons with long-term resident status in another EU Member State and their family members.

The application should be sent to:

The Swedish Migration Agency
Box 3100
903 03 Umeå

To have your application examined, you must pay an application fee.

“Application for a residence permit for persons with long-term resident status in another EU Member State and their family members”, Form 137011 Pdf, 1.4 MB, opens in new window.

Addresses and opening hours of the Swedish Migration Agency

Postal addresses of the Swedish Migration Agency

Fees for residence permits

When you apply, you must also submit

  • copies of the pages of your passport that show your personal details, photograph, signature, the period of validity of the passport, the country where it was issued, and whether you have permission to live in countries other than your country of origin. For the passport to be approved, it must have a signature. Read more about making correct passport copies.
  • a colour copy of your residence permit card showing that you have an EC/EU residence permit for long-term residents in another EU country.

  • your F-tax certificate and certificate of registration from the Swedish Companies Registration Office
  • the most recent VAT report (if your company is required to report VAT)
  • proof that you run a business, such as invoices to customers, receipts for purchased materials, and leases for the business’s premises.

If you have purchased a business in Sweden, you must also submit

  • the transfer agreement
  • the most recent annual report.

  • your certificate of admission to a course or programme at the upper secondary level. Please note that you cannot be granted a residence permit for teaching Swedish for Immigrants (SFI)
  • a certificate showing that you are covered by the social security system of your former country of origin. The certificate must be issued by the authorities in your country of origin and must state that you are covered by the social security system of another EU country. If you cannot obtain such a certificate, you must take out comprehensive private health insurance that is valid during the period you are in Sweden
  • an assurance that you have sufficient funds to support yourself.

  • documents showing how you support yourself, such as pension statements or bank statements
  • documents showing your accommodation costs.

  • a certificate, contract or similar documentation stating the type of service and how long you will offer or receive it. The document must be written and signed by the person receiving or providing the service.

If you change your mind and no longer wish to apply

If you wish to withdraw (revoke) your application, you must write a letter to the Swedish Migration Agency and inform us of this. The letter must include the following information: your name, date of birth, any personal identity number, and case number. Also provide your phone number and address so that the Swedish Migration Agency can reach you should there be any questions. Sign the letter with your signature. If you have given someone power of attorney, that person may withdraw your application on your behalf.

Once we have received your appli­ca­tion

You must present your passport

Before a decision can be made, the Swedish Migration Agency must verify your passport. You may therefore need to present your passport at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general if you are outside Sweden, or one of the Swedish Migration Agency's service centres if you are in Sweden.

In some cases, you will not be required to present your passport, for example, if we have already checked your passport during a previous visit.

If you need to present your passport, we will contact you with information on how and when to do so.

For your passport to be approved when you present it, it must be valid and have a signature. If your passport is not signed, the Swedish Migration Agency will ask you to complete your application with other documents.

Resi­dence permit card

If you receive a permit for more than three months, you will receive a residence permit card.

Read more about residence permit cards

Addresses and opening hours of the Swedish Migration Agency

Once your application decision is ready, it will be sent to your home address in Sweden.

Read more about what happens after a decision

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